Apple tree named ‘WA 38’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinctive variety of a  Malus domestica  apple tree, named ‘WA 38’ that is distinguished by its intense and nearly full color, internal indices that are different than its parents, and its long common storage life.

Latin name of the genus and species of the claimed plant:Botanical/commercial classification: Malus domestica/apple tree.

Varietal denomination: ‘WA 38’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention refers to a new plant variety of apple tree (Malusdomestica) named ‘WA 38’. This new variety is distinguished by itsintense and nearly full color, internal indices that are different thanits parents, and its long common storage life.

‘WA 38’ originated as a single seedling from a cross of the patentedvarieties ‘Enterprise’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 9,193) and ‘Honeycrisp’(U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,197) in Year 1. The germinated seedling was grownin a greenhouse at Wenatchee, Wash. In September of Year 2, ‘WA 38’ waschip budded onto ‘M9’ rootstock and the resulting tree was planted inthe evaluation orchard at Douglas County, Wash. in the spring of Year 5.Fruit from this originally budded tree were observed in Year 7 and Year8 and due to the unique fruit quality traits, ‘WA 38’ was selected andsecond generation trees were made by chip budding onto M9 rootstock inthe fall of Year 8. Second generation trees were planted at threelocations in Washington State near Chelan, Douglas County, Wash.; nearEast Wenatchee, Douglas County, Wash.; and near Basin City, FranklinCounty, Wash. A comparison of second generation trees against theoriginally budded tree, including trunk, branches, leaves, flowers, andfruit; showed them to be essentially the same and stable over the yearschecked (Years 12, 13, 14, and 15).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The ‘WA 38’ apple tree variety exhibits exceptionally long storage lifein common storage. ‘WA 38’ loses little of its crispness, sugar, andacid following five months of storage, whereas that of its parentsdeclines considerably. The appearance of ‘WA 38’ fruit is nearly fullcolor and has an intensity that is unique among other apple varieties ofthe same season. Like both its parents (i.e., ‘Enterprise’ and‘Honeycrisp’), ‘WA 38’ is heterozygous for the ASC1 gene and homozygousfor the ACO1 gene, both of which are involved in ethylene production.These genes confer low ethylene production, which in turn affectsstorage life. The ACS1 and ACO1 genotypes were determined using themethod described in Zhu and Barrit (2008). The harvest maturity of ‘WA38’ is approximately three weeks later than that of the parental variety‘Honeycrisp’, and approximately three weeks earlier than that of theparental variety ‘Enterprise’. Additionally, the combination of fruitappearance and internal eating qualities of the fruit of ‘WA 38’ isdistinctly different than that of the parental varieties ‘Honeycrisp’and ‘Enterprise’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. View of the dormant stage of ‘WA 38’ originally budded tree.

FIG. 2. View of blossoms from the originally budded tree of ‘WA 38’.

FIG. 3. View of typical ‘WA 38’ originally budded tree fruit at harvestmaturity.

FIG. 4. View comparing harvest mature fruit of ‘WA 38’ (top row), andits parents ‘Enterprise’ (center row), and ‘Honeycrisp’ (bottom row).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description, except for description of fruit, isfrom the ‘WA 38’ originally budded tree grown at Orondo, Douglas County,Wash. The ‘WA 38’ tree was 11 years old when measurements were taken.The USDA hardiness zone 6b. All color references are from The R.H.S.Colour Chart by The Royal Horticultural Society. The seedling was notgrown on its own roots, as standard production of apple trees involvespropagation on a rootstock.

-   Tree:    -   -   Type.—Spreading; moderately heavy spur development, and            precocious with spur development beginning on two-year old            wood.        -   Vigor.—Considered moderate on the low side with the current            season's growth ranging from 26.0 cm to 50.2 cm with an            average of 37.0 cm.        -   Overall shape.—Original budded tree was supported by            securing the central leader to a 3-wire trellis; no branch            training was performed and pruning was minimal; only            branches that were likely to impact routine field operations            or that were broken were removed; as such, the overall            observed shape was upright and spreading with a height of 16            feet and width of 14 feet.        -   Height.—16 feet.        -   Width.—14 feet.        -   Hardiness.—Considered hardy for the regions grown in; USDA            hardiness zone 6b.        -   Productivity.—Considered high.-   Trunk:    -   -   Size.—Diameter at a height of 30 cm above graft union is            10.3 cm.        -   Bark texture.—Considered smooth for 11 year old tree.        -   Bark color.—Greyed-orange (RHS 199A).        -   Lenticels.—Present and moderate in number averaging 6            lenticels per 9 cm²; shape is elongated and oriented            horizontally; average width is 1.7 mm; average length is            10.9 mm.        -   Lenticels color.—Brown (RHS N200A).-   Branches:    -   -   First year branches.—Diameter: at mid-point of growth ranges            from 3.7 mm to 5.0 mm and averages 4.5 mm. Length: current            season's growth ranges from 26.0 cm to 50.2 cm with an            average of 37.0 cm. Bark color: greyed-orange (RHS 176A).            Lenticels: numerous present, averaging 17 lenticels in a 1            cm section of branch; shape is mostly round with a few oval            in shape; oriented vertically; diameter ranges from 0.4 mm            to 0.9 mm; oval dimensions range from 1.4 mm to 1.6 mm in            length and 0.7 mm in width; and color is green-white (RHS            157D).        -   Scaffold branches.—Size: ranges from 4.2 cm to 7.9 cm in            diameter with an average of 5.9 cm as measured 10 cm from            the trunk. Angle: moderately flat to near flat, ranging from            75 to 85 degrees from vertical. Branch color: grey-brown            (RHS 199A). Lenticels: few in number, averaging 11 lenticels            per 9 cm²; shape and size is variable, mostly elongated,            with some round; length ranges from 8.4 mm to 18.9 mm and            width ranges from 1.0 mm to 1.7 mm; round diameter ranges            from 1.0 mm to 1.3 mm; orientation is horizontal; and color            is greyed-orange (RHS 166D).-   Leaves:    -   -   Shape.—Considered broadly acute on the round side and is            upward folding.        -   Texture.—Upper surface is leathery with some puckering;            lower surface is smooth with some puckering.        -   Sheen.—Upper surface has a high sheen.        -   Pubescence.—Present on lower surface only covering 100% and            is moderately heavy; color of lower surface pubescence is            greyed-yellow (RHS 160D); light covering of white pubescence            (RHS 155B) is found along veins of upper surface.        -   Length.—Blade length ranges from 7.2 cm to 8.9 cm with an            average of 8.1 cm.        -   Width.—Ranges 5.2 cm to 6.3 cm with an average of 5.7 cm.        -   Margin.—Serrate with a few bi-serrate regions.        -   Tip.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Rounded.        -   Stipules.—Present on most petioles; 0 to 2 present with most            being 1; shape is acicula; length ranges from 2.0 mm to 6.3            mm with an average of 4.4 mm; width at base ranges from 1.0            mm to 1.6 mm with an average 1.3 mm; color of upper and            lower surface is yellow-green (RHS 1146D); and pubescence is            present on both upper and lower surfaces, considered fine            with 100% coverage over both surfaces; pubescence color is            greyed-yellow (RHS 160D).        -   Leaf blade color.—Upper surface is yellow-green (RHS 147A);            lower surface is yellow-green (RHS 147C).        -   Mid-vein.—Prominent with considerable fine pubescence on            under surface of vein; width at mid blade ranges from 1.1 mm            to 1.6 mm with an average 1.4 mm; upper surface color is            yellow-green (RHS 147A); lower surface color is yellow-green            (RHS 147C); pubescence covering 100% of the lower surface is            greyed-yellow (RHS 160D).        -   Petiole.—Length ranges from 24.5 mm to 35.9 mm with an            average of 30.1 mm; shallow groove runs the entire length of            the upper surface; diameter at mid point ranges from 1.4 mm            to 1.9 mm with an average of 1.7 mm; color of upper surface            is yellow-green (RHS 145C); color of lower surface is            yellow-green (RHS 145D); pubescence is abundant and fine            over the entire length and circumference of the petiole;            color of pubescence is greyed-yellow (RHS 160D).        -   Buds.—Usually on single spurs; shape is considered acute            with base being truncate with spur; diameter ranges from 4.1            mm to 4.9 mm with an average of 4.4 mm; length ranges from            6.6 mm to 10.2 mm with an average of 8.3 mm; bud scale color            is purple (RHS N77A).-   Flowers: Bloom started April 19 and finished May 6, with full bloom    date May 1 at Orondo, Douglas County, Wash.; number of blossoms per    bud ranges from 4 to 6 with an average of 6; fragrance is    apple-blossom like.    -   -   Size.—Considered large, when fully expanded the diameter            ranged from 51.6 mm to 57.5 mm with an average of 53.9 mm.        -   Petal.—Width ranges from 18.0 mm to 21.1 mm with an average            19.2 mm; length ranges from 24.4 mm to 27.3 mm with an            average 25.2 mm; shape is elliptic; typical petal number is            five; petal margins are smooth, both tip and base of petal            are rounded; petal surface is slightly glabrous.        -   Color.—Both upper and lower surfaces are white (RHS 155B);            where exposed prior to opening, lower surface has red-purple            highlights (RHS 64B).        -   Stamen.—Number ranges from 18 to 21 with an average of 21;            filament length ranges from 5.5 mm to 11.2 mm with an            average of 8.5 mm; filament color is white (RHS 155C);            anthers are kidney shaped with an average size of 1.6 mm            wide×2.7 mm long; mature anther color is yellow (RHS 10D).        -   Pistil.—Typically five pistils per flower; length ranges            from 14.7 mm to 19.7 mm with an average of 17.2 mm. Styles:            five in number, fused at ⅓ distance from basal end with the            fused region covered in white (RHS 155B) pubescence; color            is yellow-green (RHS 145B). Stigma: round club shaped 0.6 to            0.7 mm in diameter; color is yellow-green (RHS 153B).        -   Sepals.—Five per blossom; shape is considered thin deltoid            with the tip being acuminate and the base being truncate;            length ranges from 13.2 mm to 8.8 mm with an average of 11.9            mm; width ranges from 3.8 mm to 4.4 mm with an average of            4.1 mm; abundant white (RHS 155B) pubescence is present on            both upper and lower surfaces; upper surface color is            yellow-green (RHS 146C); lower surface color is yellow-green            (RHS 148D); both upper and lower tip surfaces red-purple            highlight color (RHS 64B).        -   Peduncle.—Length ranges from 16.1 mm to 23.0 mm with an            average of 19.5 mm; color is yellow-green (RHS 146B);            considerable white downiness (RHS 155B) present over the            entire surface.        -   Pollen.—Moderate amounts of pollen are produced, with yellow            color (RHS 10D).-   Fruit: Observations and testing from 1^(st) generation tree fruit    grown at East Wenatchee, Douglas County, Wash.; production is    moderate to heavy, falling within the range of existing commercial    cultivars.    -   -   Form.—Considered uniform round-conical.        -   Size.—Considered medium large with a normal crop level;            equatorial diameter ranges from 80.0 mm to 88.3 mm with an            average of 83.9 mm; axis diameter ranges from 76.4 mm to            85.6 mm with an average of 79.0 mm; typical weight ranges            from 254 g to 332 g with an average of 281 g.        -   Stem.—Considered long and medium thick; length ranges from            22.3 mm to 29.5 mm and averages 25.7 mm; diameter ranges            from 1.8 mm to 2.8 mm with an average of 2.3 mm; color is            yellow-green (RHS 146B).        -   Stem cavity.—Width ranges from 28.3 mm to 36.1 mm with an            average 32.6 mm; depth ranges from 20.9 mm to 23.9 mm with            an average of 22.7 mm; occasional light russet over bottom ⅓            of cavity; cavity shape is acuminate; stem cavity is not            lipped.        -   Basin cavity.—Considered abrupt; surface is wavy; puckered            around eye; light ribbing; green-white (RHS 157D) downy            hairs at base; width ranges from 25.9 mm to 31.5 mm with an            average of 28.8 mm; depth ranges from 11.6 mm to 18.4 mm            with an average of 13.8 mm.        -   Eye.—Erect convergent; sepal color is yellow-green (RHS            148C); sepals contain green-white (RHS 157D) downy hairs.        -   Skin.—Texture is considered tender; thickness is considered            thin; appearance is considered more streaked than marbled            with scant bloom present; skin color of over streak is            greyed-purple (RHS 183B); skin color of under streak is            greyed-purple (RHS 183D); skin under color is red (RHS 48A);            skin lenticels are numerous, small, round, smooth with the            skin; skin lenticels are more numerous towards the calyx end            averaging 4 lenticels per cm² at stem end, 11 lenticels per            cm² at calyx end; areolar at the stem end; color is white            (RHS 155B) and areolar color is from the red group (RHS            48A); skin lenticel size ranges from 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm in            diameter with aerolar diameter ranging from 1.0 mm to 1.5            mm.        -   Core.—Core position is considered median; core line position            is basal meeting; core diameter ranges from 38.7 mm to 46.3            mm with an average of 42.9 mm; core length ranges from 28.2            mm to 32.8 mm with an average of 30.5 mm; core shape is flat            conical.        -   Cell (locule or carpel).—Five per fruit; not tufted; shape            is elliptical; length ranges from 17.1 mm to 23.4 mm with an            average of 19.6 mm; width (axis/edge) ranges from 10.9 mm to            12.8 mm with an average of 11.6 mm; depth (wall/wall) ranges            from 5.7 mm to 7.5 mm with an average of 6.5 mm.        -   Tube.—Cone shaped.        -   Stamen position.—Median relative to stamens situated            approximately in the middle of the tube (the cavity just            beneath the eye).        -   Cell attachment to axis.—Axial and open, meaning cells are            symmetrical and each cell is open.        -   Seed.—Number ranges from 1 to 3 with an average of 2; shape            is acute; seed length ranges from 8.3 mm to 9.4 mm with an            average of 9.0 mm; seed width ranges from 4.0 mm to 4.7 mm            with an average of 4.3 mm; seed color is brown (RHS 200D).        -   Flesh.—Crisp, melting, juicy, sub-acid with mild apple like            flavor; color is yellow-white (RHS 158D); flesh browning            very little to none after one hour; quality is very good.        -   Aroma.—Apple like and moderate in intensity.        -   Date of harvest maturity.—Typically late September/early            October, observed harvest maturity of current season was            October 2; for any one location, ‘WA 38’ typically can be            classed as a single pick variety; however, harvest can be            extended into two picks over a two week period.        -   Genotype.—WA 38 is heterozygous (1,2) for ACS1 and is            homozygous (2,2) for ACO1.        -   Keeping quality.—Excellent; up to five months in common            storage; flesh browns very slightly after being exposed.-   Pollination: Any diploid apple of the same bloom season.-   Use: For dessert.-   Disease and insect resistance: May have some resistance to Venturia    inaequalis (apple scab) from its maternal parent ‘Enterprise’;    otherwise is considered to be susceptible to all insects and    diseases found in the region of Central Washington.

Table 1 represents maturity indices of the ‘WA 38’, ‘Honeycrisp’ and‘Enterprise’ varieties. In Table 1, pressure is a measure of fruitfirmness, ° Brix is a measure of soluble solid content of fruit, andtitratable acid is a measure of fruit acidity. The mature harvest dateof ‘Enterprise’ was October 23, Year 15, and the mature harvest date of‘Honeycrisp’ was September 10, Year 15.

TABLE 1 Maturity indices Titratable Sample Run Pressure Acid VarietyDate (Newtons) °Brix pH (g/ 100 ml) ‘WA 38’ October 2, Year 15 82 12.63.47 0.62 ‘Honeycrisp’ September 10, 62 12.7 3.52 0.42 Year 15‘Enterprise’ October 23, Year 15 86 14.3 3.47 0.68

What is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct apple tree variety named ‘WA 38’,as herein shown and described.